Earlier this month, we asked UKBF members what their best back-to-work stress busting tips were. They had some suggestions to kick 2016 off with a bang (even if it is nearly February).
'I plan on getting through this by knuckling down and getting on with the job (whilst swigging strong coffee). I will recuperate and destress by having several beverages each weekend during, and after this period of madness,' he adds.
A positive outlook's the way forward for SOS Offices, too, who's starting up a new venture.
'I'm starting the year off determined and motivated. Hopefully it will be a success,' they said.
One member, Mr A P Davies, works in one such business.
'I don't want to face it, but I'm going to have to. Just need to get all my kit done up, my truck done up, and a few interior decorating projects done, so I don't have to deal with it when I get really busy,' he says.
It may seem controversial, but unless it's life and death (or you're going to lose a lot of business) then switch the emails off when you're on a holiday, setting times one or two days a week for 10 minutes each in which you check them.
USKBD had a similar idea with email registrations.
'I switched off the registration form on my directory and made new registrations by email invite only. I've got to decide now whether to sit and reply to 300+ emails and send them a link to the secret registration page, or just pretend I didn't receive them and start from scratch again in the morning. It will certainly be more stress busting to delete them all,' he said.
Something as simple as being grateful for having food to eat for breakfast, or a pleasant chat with a customer; if you practice gratitude for it, can over time reduce stress and improve your mood.
Aim to think of three or four things when you first wake up, as recommended by Professional Painters.
'Find little things that can bring you up throughout the day. This is my technique!'
And the best way to build this is to tackle things head-on.
'The worst thing you can do is avoid stressful situations all the time. The more you go through, the more you prove to yourself that you are capable of dealing with them. In more general terms, as long as you and your family are reasonably happy and healthy, and you have sufficient funds to pay your bills, whatever you are worrying about is probably not worth the hassle,' they said.
Fisicx has some suggestions: 'Make sure you have a calm place in your head you can go to. This doesn't mean ignoring problems but it gives you a moment to relax before engaging.
'The other technique is to divert stressful situations. For example, if someone pushes in front of you, don't get angry. Just say hallo and smile. Being angry and stress won't reverse how they acted or stop them doing it again but smiling makes you feel better,' he says.
Toastking says he's enjoying the freedom of a more suitable job.
'I don't feel so stressed by things I cannot control any more. It's been a nice side effect thats bled into other areas of my life,' he said.
What are your top stress-busting tips for the start of the year, as we head into February? Make sure you're registered or logged in to comment!
Keep calm and carry on
John1989, like many of us, returned to work with a mountain of thing to sort out. He's getting through it by personifying that age old phrase, keeping calm and carrying on.'I plan on getting through this by knuckling down and getting on with the job (whilst swigging strong coffee). I will recuperate and destress by having several beverages each weekend during, and after this period of madness,' he adds.
A positive outlook's the way forward for SOS Offices, too, who's starting up a new venture.
'I'm starting the year off determined and motivated. Hopefully it will be a success,' they said.
Get prepared
Of course, preparing is half the battle. Jumping straight back into work after a break is all well and good, but if you're not prepared to make the most of what may be a quiet period, after all the Christmas bustle, then you'll end up far more stressed than you should be.One member, Mr A P Davies, works in one such business.
'I don't want to face it, but I'm going to have to. Just need to get all my kit done up, my truck done up, and a few interior decorating projects done, so I don't have to deal with it when I get really busy,' he says.
Switch off your emails
This is a tough one. On one hand, you don't want clients or customers to think you're ignoring them and you want to stay on top of your business; on the other, you want a break that doesn't consist of your eyes being glued to a screen.It may seem controversial, but unless it's life and death (or you're going to lose a lot of business) then switch the emails off when you're on a holiday, setting times one or two days a week for 10 minutes each in which you check them.
USKBD had a similar idea with email registrations.
'I switched off the registration form on my directory and made new registrations by email invite only. I've got to decide now whether to sit and reply to 300+ emails and send them a link to the secret registration page, or just pretend I didn't receive them and start from scratch again in the morning. It will certainly be more stress busting to delete them all,' he said.
Practice gratitude
Even if you're the most negative person in the world, there are always going to be at least two or three good things about your life and day.Something as simple as being grateful for having food to eat for breakfast, or a pleasant chat with a customer; if you practice gratitude for it, can over time reduce stress and improve your mood.
Aim to think of three or four things when you first wake up, as recommended by Professional Painters.
'Find little things that can bring you up throughout the day. This is my technique!'
Boost your self confidence
It goes without saying that self confidence can reduce a lot of stress. As AllUpHere notes, the knowledge 'that you can deal with any situation that can arise' will mean you're more able to deal with things when they do go wrong.And the best way to build this is to tackle things head-on.
'The worst thing you can do is avoid stressful situations all the time. The more you go through, the more you prove to yourself that you are capable of dealing with them. In more general terms, as long as you and your family are reasonably happy and healthy, and you have sufficient funds to pay your bills, whatever you are worrying about is probably not worth the hassle,' they said.
Meditate
It's not all candle-lighting and chanting; simply taking time out to focus on your breathing and relax is easy and beneficial.Fisicx has some suggestions: 'Make sure you have a calm place in your head you can go to. This doesn't mean ignoring problems but it gives you a moment to relax before engaging.
'The other technique is to divert stressful situations. For example, if someone pushes in front of you, don't get angry. Just say hallo and smile. Being angry and stress won't reverse how they acted or stop them doing it again but smiling makes you feel better,' he says.
Get a new job
But if you're really feeling sick to your stomach being back at work, perhaps it's time for a new job (or a new business!).Toastking says he's enjoying the freedom of a more suitable job.
'I don't feel so stressed by things I cannot control any more. It's been a nice side effect thats bled into other areas of my life,' he said.
What are your top stress-busting tips for the start of the year, as we head into February? Make sure you're registered or logged in to comment!
